Oregon cruises past Central Michigan to advance to Elite Eight

Ruthy Hebard amassed 23 points, 14 rebounds and a career-high six blocks to lead second-seeded Oregon past 11th-seeded Central Michigan, 83-69, in the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA Tournament on Saturday night in Spokane, Wash.

Sabrina Ionescu nearly put up a triple-double with 16 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for Oregon (33-4), which won its 12th straight game and will face top-seeded Notre Dame in the Elite Eight of the Spokane Regional on Monday night.

"We didn't play our best basketball tonight, but we stuck together and [ground] it out and that's what March is about," Ionescu said on the ESPN broadcast after the game.

Tinara Moore had 23 points and 14 rebounds and Presley Hudson added 15 points to pace Central Michigan (30-5). The Chippewas had won 10 straight, including a 78-69 decision against sixth-seeded LSU in the tourney's first round and a 95-78 win over third-seeded Ohio State in the second round.

Oregon, which beat 15th-seeded Seattle 88-45 in the first round and topped 10th-seeded Minnesota 101-73 in the second, will be making its second-ever trip to the Elite Eight after making it that far one season ago.

Central Michigan was playing in the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history. The Chippewas were making their fourth-ever NCAA tourney appearance and first since 2013.

Lexi Bando scored 14 points and Oti Gildon contributed 10 points and seven boards for the Ducks, who shot 49.3 percent (34 of 69) from the field and outrebounded the Chippewas 46-44.